Blake Griffin not in danger of being suspended for playoff opener

Blake Griffin

Danny Moloshok / Associated Press

Clippers forward Blake Griffin reacts to being called for a foul during Saturday's win over the Sacramento Kings. A 16th technical foul by Griffin in the Clippers' regular-season finale would not lead to him being suspended for the team's playoff opener.

Clippers forward Blake Griffin reacts to being called for a foul during Saturday's win over the Sacramento Kings. A 16th technical foul by Griffin in the Clippers' regular-season finale would not lead to him being suspended for the team's playoff opener. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

Blake Griffin needs to be on his best behavior for only one more game.

The Clippers forward has accumulated 15 technical fouls this season, putting him one short of triggering a league-mandated one-game suspension.

But were Griffin to avoid receiving a technical foul Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets and then pick one up Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Clippers’ regular-season finale, he would not be suspended for the Clippers’ playoff opener, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins became the first player in the league suspended for technical difficulties after he hit the threshold of 16 technicals Sunday against Minnesota. Cousins will serve his suspension Wednesday in the Kings’ regular-season finale against the Phoenix Suns, who will certainly welcome the absence of the productive big man as they fight for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Griffin received his 15th technical April 9 against the Oklahoma City Thunder for complaining about a non-call on Steven Adams.